Clutch



J. WOLKOFF Nov. 14, 1939.

CLUTCH Filed June 25, '1938 ATTORNEYS.

atented Nov. 14, 1939 STATES PATENT orFica 10 Claims.

This invention relates to clutches.

An object of this invention is a clutch embodying a simple structure and which is highly efficient in operation, as well as comparatively in expensive to manufacture.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a hollow cylindrical member is provided with a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, said grooves preferably being angularly related. Surrounded by the cylindrical member is a coaxial rotatable member having two opposed radial channels in each of which is provided a slidable block. Radial movement of saidblocks is eflected through the medium of wedge means movable axially of said rotatable member and associated with each block is a pair of contact members movable by the block into said grooves, one block and its associated contact members having operating surfaces tending to push apart said contact members on outward movement thereof and the other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to draw together said contact members on outward movement thereof. Means are provided for eflecting axial movement of said wedge means and for locking said wedge means in declutching position. I

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein: 7

Fig. l is a vertical section through an embodiment of the invention with the clutch disengaged;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the clutch engaged;

Fig. 3 is a section substantially .on the line of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line ti of Fig. 2, and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views of individual elements.

The two shafts which are to be joined together by the clutch are designated it and ill respectively. A hollow cylindrical member I12 is fixed to the shaft it by a set screw it and on its inner periphery is provided with two angularly related grooves it and it. p

To the shaft it is attached by any suitable means a head it having two radially opposed channels, in one of which is provided the slidable block [Ii and the other of which is provided the slidable block it. In one channelfor co-operation with the block it are two contact members it, while in the other channel, for co-operation with the block iii, are two more contact members 22. These contact members are movable by their wedges.

respective blocks into the peripheralgrooves H and I and both the blocks and the groove are provided with straight angularly related surfaces, which are brought into contact for clutching purposes. rated by a ridge 11a on the block l1, while the contact members 20 are separated by a ridge 18a on the block Hi. The block I1 and the contact members l9 are provided with co-operating-surfaces which tend to force the contact members apartupon outward movement of the block ll while the block l8 and contact members 20 are provided with co-operating surfaces tending to push together the contact members upon outward movement of the block l8.

Wedges 2i are supported by the head it for movement axially of the shaft I I and these wedges coact with the blocks l1 and 18 to move such The contact members l9 are sepa-' blocks outwardly upon movement of the wedges in one direction. Each wedge is provided with a rib 22 and a collar 23 has a recess into whichthe ribs project for locking the collar to the the collar 23 and the head It and tendsto move the wedges into direction to expand the contact members into the grooves.

A pair of arms 25 extend from the head it and are provided with longitudinal grooves, the collar 23 being suitably slotted to fit into such grooves. locking member 26 having a flat face 21 for engagement with the collar 23. The locking member is also provided with a finger 28 engageable by a flange 29 on a collar 20. A lever 2|! pivoted on pin 32 is connected to the collar it for efiecting axial movement of the collar to swing the locking members from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting expansion of the spring 22. At the end of the lever are provided flat surfaces 22 engageable by a spring-pressed member it to hold the lever in either the position shown. in Fig. l or the position shown in Fig. 2.

With the lever iii in the position shown in Fig. l, the locking members 2% have their flat surfaces 21! engaging the collar 22 to hold the wedges 2 l in such position that the contact members l9 and 2t ride freely in the grooves it and i5 and the shaft i0 is declutched from the shaft H. In order to engage the clutch, the lever 2| is swung into the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon the flange 29 moves the locking members to release the collar 22 to permit the spring 22 to move the wedges in the direction to force out the blocks Ill and it, thereby pressing'the con- In each arm is pivotally supported a- A coil spring 22 is interposed between a position to prevent movement tact members I! and IS. The blocks not bers outwardly,

into the grooves l4 and only move the contact membut also push apart the contact members l9 and push together the contact members". The contact members are thus flrmly forced into the grooves to clutch the head l6 to the cylindrical member I! and thus clutch together the two shafts Ill and H. The angular relation of the grooves l4 and I5, together with the movement apart of the contact members 19 and the movement together of the contact members 20 serves to firmly connect the head I to the member l2.

It is of course understood that various modifications may be made in'the clutch above described, without in any way' departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a hollow cylindrical member having a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, a rotatablehead coaxial with and surrounded by said cylindrical member, two opposed radial channels in said rotatable head, a slidable block in each channel, wedges movable axially of said rotatable head to eil'ect radial movement of said blocks, and a pair of contact members movable by each block into said grooves, one block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push apart said contact mem-Q bers on outward movement thereof and the other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push together said contact members upon outward movement thereof.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said annular grooves are angularly related.

3. A device of the character described comprising a hollow cylindrical member having a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, a rotatable head coaxial with and surrounded by said cylindrical member, two opposed radial channels in said rotatable head, a slidable block in each channel, wedges movable axially of said rotatable head to effect radial movement of said blocks, a spring for moving said wedges in the direction to move said blocks outwardly, locking members pivotally supported by said head adapted in one of said wedges by manually operable means for rolocking members to release said said spring, tating said .wedges, and a pair of contact members movable by each block into said grooves, one block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push apart said contact members on outwardmovement thereof and the other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push together said contact members upon outward movement thereof.

4. A clutch according to claim 3 wherein said annular grooves are angularly related.

5. A device of the character described comprising ahollow cylindrical member having a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, a rotatable'head coaxial with and surrounded by said cylindrical member, two opposed radial channels in said rotatable head, a slidable block in each channel, wedges movable axially of said rotatable head to effect radial movement of said blocks, a spring for moving said wedges in the direction to move saidblocks outwardly, locking members pivotally supported by said head and a ward movement thereof and one block and its to preventv movement thereof by said spring, a

flanged collar movable axially of said head, fingers on said locking members engageable by said flange to swing said locking members into inoperative position, and a pair of contact members movable by each block into said grooves, one block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push apart said contact members on outward movement thereof and the other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfacestending to push together said contact members upon outward movement thereof. v

6. A clutch according to claim 5 in which said annular grooves are angularly related.

7. A device .of the character described comprising a hollow cylindrical member having a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, a rotatable head coaxial with and surrounded by said cylindrical member, two opposed radial channelsin said rotatable head, a slidable block in each channel, wedges movable axially of said rotatable head to efi'ect radial movement of said blocks, a pair of arms extending axially from said-head, a collar attached to said wedges, a spring interposed between said head and collar, said collar and arms having inter-related grooves 'and slots, a locking member in each arm groove pivoted to said arm, said locking members having flat surfaces engageable with said collar, means for eflecting rotation of said locking members to release said collar, and a pair of contact members movable by each block into said annular grooves, one block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push apart said contact members on outthe other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push together said contact members upon outward movement thereof.

- 8. A clutch according to claim 7 wherein said annular grooves are angularly related.

9. A device of the character described comprising a hollow cylindrical member having a pair of annular grooves in its inner periphery, a rotatable head coaxial with and surrounded by said cylindrical member, two opposed radial channels in said rotatable head, a slidable block in each channel, wedges movable axially of said rotatable head to effect radial movement of said blocks, a pair of arms extending axially'from said head, a collar attached to said wedges, a spring interposed between said head and collar, said collar and arms having inter-related grooves and slots, a locking member in each arm groove pivoted to said arm, said locking members having flat surfaces engageable with said collar, a flanged sleeve movable axially of said head, fingers on said locking members engageable by said flanged sleeve to effect rotation of said looking members, anda movable by each block. into associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push apartsaid contact members on outward movement thereof and the other block and its associated contact members having co-operating surfaces tending to push together said contact members ,upon outward movement thereof.

10. A clutch according to claim 9 wherein said annulargrooves are singularly related. 4

JOHN WOLKOFF.

'pair of contact members said annular grooves, 

